Three Course Records Fall: Autumn 5K at The Meadows
There was definitely an autumnal feel in the air at Tuesday’s Autumn 5K @ The Meadows, but that didn’t stop 95 brilliant runners turning up for a lunchtime blast around one of Edinburgh’s favourite running spots.
And we had a properly international field too, with runners joining us from San Francisco and Switzerland. Not bad for a Tuesday lunchtime 5K!
The Autumn 5K was the fifth event in our six event 2026 Blast 5K @ The Meadows Series, bringing runners together for a flat, fast and officially measured 5K, followed by the essential post run combination of tea, coffee and a cookie. We’re calling that a winning combo.
Three course records tumble
The running was certainly quick, with three new age category course records set during the afternoon.
Huge congratulations to:
Betty Bergstrand, who set a new Senior Women course record in 17:16.
Ian Deary, who became the new V70M course record holder in 23:06.
Peter Dearnley, who broke the V80M course record with a fantastic 33:02.
And Peter’s record came with a particularly lovely bit of Meadows history.
The previous V80M course record was set by Gerry Taggart back in 2021. On Tuesday, not one but two men in their 80s turned up to have a go at it.
We absolutely love that.
Congratulations to our category winners
There were some excellent performances across all the age categories, with plenty of familiar faces and some new ones too.
Male podium
Senior Male: Joe Robson, Harmeny AC, 17:32
V40M: Garry McKenna, Falkirk Vet Harriers, 17:06
V50M: Linn Denholm, Portobello RC, 19:33
V60M: Michael Connolly, unattached, 20:43
V70M: Ian Deary, unattached, 23:06
V80M: Peter Dearnley, Norfolk Gazelles, 33:02
Female podium
Youth Female: Eleanor Hipperson, Old Boys Basel, 19:17
Senior Female: Betty Bergstrand, Carnethy RC, 17:16
V40F:Liz Cox, unattached, 22:42
V50F:Seona Burnett, Harmeny AC, 21:32
V60F: Mandy Scott, WERC, 22:00
Well done to everyone who took part, whether you were chasing a course record, pushing for a PB or simply squeezing a 5K into your Tuesday lunchtime. Check out the full results for this event.
Running for a good cause
As always, the Blast 5K @ The Meadows is about more than the clock.
We were delighted to receive £168 in generous donations for the Bowelbabe Foundation at the Autumn 5K. Thank you so much to everyone who donated.
We’ll be adding this to our fundraising pot for the upcoming Hot Chocolate 5K & 10K on 22 November, which is also supporting the Bowelbabe Foundation.
Every donation helps, and we’re very grateful to everyone who continues to support the charities connected with our events.
Thank you to our brilliant volunteers
Of course, an event like this doesn’t happen without a great team behind it.
A huge thank you to Corstorphine First Aid for being on hand just in case, and to our wonderful marshal crew: Issy, Finlay, Campbell, Gill, Rosie, Brian and Charlie.
And thank you to Edinburgh Council for granting the licences and permits that allow us to keep bringing these lunchtime 5Ks to The Meadows.
One more Meadows 5K to go!
And just like that, we’re down to the final event of the 2026 Blast 5K @ The Meadows Series.
If you’ve enjoyed the themed 5Ks this year, there’s one more chance to join us before we wrap up the series and the running year.
Next up is the Mulled Wine 5K @ The Meadows on Tuesday 22 December.
Expect festive vibes, a final chance to put in a fast 5K, and a suitably seasonal way to round off another year of running in Edinburgh.
So dig out the festive kit, grab your running shoes and come join us for the final Blast 5K @ The Meadows of 2026.
We’ll see you at the start line!